The World Games is the centre stage for the best athletes from all around the world, where the athletes can experience a multi-sport event, a once-in-a-lifetime occasion for many. Birmingham, Alabama, succeeded in its guarantee that the athletes once again would have a very special week to remember.
“I have no words to describe how amazing this experience was. It was so much better than I ever could have imagined!” said Rita Teixeira (POR), silver medallist from Acrobatic Gymnastics Women's Pairs on Instagram. This was her first time at The World Games.
“Thank you Birmingham! I could never have imagined how many awesome people we would meet at The World Games 2022!” exclaimed Artistic Roller Skating bronze medallist Tim Schubert (GER), and continued: “Winning a medal at the biggest competition in artistic skating, in the equivalent to the Olympic Games, is more than a dream come true for me. This means everything to me.”
Viktor Vermeire (BEL), silver medallist in Acrobatic Gymnastics, calls the 2022 Games “An experience I will never forget.” He says: “I had the most wonderful people by my side and made a lot of new friends. A memory that no-one can take from me, and that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.” Tumbling silver medallist Miah Bruns (USA) says The World Games was “the BEST experience of my life”. Australian Sport Climber Grace Crowley did not succeed in the competitions in the way she would have liked, but nevertheless she credits the Games to have been “the coolest competition experience I’ve ever had,” and USA’s own Wakeboarder Anna Gay says the tournament was “incredible”.
Israeli Lacrosse player Olivia Mannon grew up in Birmingham, and got to represent her second home country at The World Games. “This is honestly one of the best experiences of my entire life, and I know moving forward it’s always going to be one of the best experiences of my life,” she said. Artistic Roller Skater Rebecca Tarlazzi won gold in Birmingham, and celebrated with a social media post saying “Today I realised my dream: Today I win my Olympic Games!” Tarlazzi was also chosen as Athlete of the Day on Day 10, and celebrated on stage during the Closing Ceremony. She expressed many athletes’ feelings when later describing the ceremony: “What an honour, to stand in front of such a wonderful audience! Thank you Birmingham, thank you The World Games 2022! I am dreaming!”
The President of the International World Games Association, Mr. José Perurena, was full of praise for the Games. “I have been to the last four editions of The World Games. This is the best, in terms of organization.”He clarified that this was not only his personal opinion; it represented the opinion of many athletes he spoke with during The World Games. “When I visited all the venues I connected with the athletes, saying ‘what do you think?’ All unequivocally said ‘this is the best Games in history,’” reported Perurena.
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association, organised with the support of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games is held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 7-17 July 2022. 3,600 athletes from 34 sports and over 100 countries take part in The World Games.
